Loney, Dear
Sologne

Loney, Dear - Sologne

"Loney, Dear" is the pseudonym that Swedish singer-songwriter Emil Svanängen adopted when he self-produced his first album, "The Year of River Fontana". Following the unexpected success in his homeland, Emil produced three more albums before being signed by Sub-Pop, through which he released his best records. The last of the four self-produced albums is called "Sologne".

Searching the Internet for this name, you'll find that it is a rural region in France, known primarily for its peace and tranquility. Emil couldn't have chosen a more fitting name for this album with its serene tones, in which even the artist's voice seems just a whisper. The record isn't among the most successful (see, for example, "Loney, Noir"), but compared to the first three, there is already an evident stylistic evolution, which continues to grow with each release by the artist.

Svanängen's voice is not one of the most powerful, but one of his great qualities, in addition to being able to play several instruments well, is being able to perfectly match vocal tones that are not excessively peculiar with music that fully supports them, almost making them better: practically, the notes composed by the Swedish artist make his voice extremely more pleasant to listen to. Besides this, those who know a bit of English will quickly understand that the lyrics of the songs are also very beautiful and thoughtful, often inviting reflection. In short, listening to a track from this album just once is almost never enough; you have to hear it multiple times to appreciate its beauty. What's more, this album marks the beginning of the artist's collaboration with other musicians, including the beautiful singer Malin Ståhlberg, with whom he creates a synergy that makes his music much more enjoyable.

Among the various tracks, the ones that struck me the most are "The City, The Airport", which among others is a bit more dynamic, and "I Love you (In with the arms)"; the latter is, for me, a small masterpiece, both for the lyrics, the melody, and the artist's interpretation. I've listened to it several times, and the sense of well-being and relaxation that this track gives me is difficult to describe in words: just close your eyes and drift away.

Sologne is an album that will hardly be appreciated by those who do not love this calm, serene, quiet genre. It is suitable for those who, while writing, studying, or engaging in other such activities, prefer to have a musical background that does not distract them excessively. It is also excellent for those seeking a moment of relaxation or tranquility. The tracks of Sologne suggest different sensations depending on who is listening, so my advice is to give it a chance.